The dawn of Urology as a separate surgical specialty in France

Abstract

Background Urology as a separate surgical specialty is a nineteenth century European development. The background of the origins of this new specialty and the elements that were responsible for it have not been studied in detail, although this information is relevant in view of contemporary challenges. Methods The existing literature on the history of Urology and original contemporary documents have been researched and analysed. The information gathered has been matched with documentation on general history. Results Urology started as a specialty on its own, separate from (general) surgery, as a consequence of events and decisions after the French Revolution. Before the French Revolution (<1789) there was no well organised healthcare in France, but the French political revolution caused also a medical revolution. The need for further subspecialisation, also within surgery, as a consequence of the revolutionary principles, prompted some brave individuals to limit their activities to specific organs. Several revolutionaries were surgeons specialised in urogenital surgery, and prepared the way for a surgical subspecialty. Jean Civiale developed and promoted specific skills in open and endoscopic interventions of the urogenital tract. Finally Felix Guyon was accepted at the University of Paris as ‘Professeur d’Urologie’ in 1890, and changed the name of his department into ‘Service d’Urologie’. Urology was a fact. Conclusion Urology as a separate surgical specialty is the consequence of medical and non-medical developments after the French revolution.